Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are changing the face of global higher education. Now some academics and companies in the US are driving a change to ‘alternative credentialing’, in the form of digital badges.

A growing chorus of employers say that traditional degrees are literally not worth the paper they’re printed on. According to publishing company Pearson, what employers are interested in are the skills graduates can demonstrate.

‘Management’ of a digital badge means that students can aggregate their competencies to increase their chances of landing specific jobs or starting certain career paths. For their parents, institutions that offer badges present a significant ‘return on investment’. Everyone wins with a badge, says Pearson.

“Industry and employer groups can define pathways to develop skill sets over the long term. This influences learners, who will set and achieve goals based on the market demand for skills more effectively. Employers complete the circuit by communicating skill gaps to institutions, who will, in turn, adapt their curricula.”